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Omens and Superstitions of Southern India

By Edgar Thurston
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Archaeology & AnthropologyMythology, Legends & Folklore

About This Book

A detailed ethnographic survey of popular superstitions and ritual practices in southern India, drawing on fieldwork and documentary sources. It examines omens and the reading of bodily signs and animal behaviors; animal and snake worship; the evil eye, charms, yantrams, vows, and votive offerings; magic, divination, and fortune-telling; human and animal sacrifice; and agricultural and rain-making rites. Material is organized thematically and illustrated with photographs and plates, with attention to ritual specialists, local procedures for seeking signs, and everyday functions of belief.

About the Author

Thurston, Edgar portrait

Edgar Thurston

Edgar Thurston was a British ethnographer and civil servant known for his extensive work on the social structure of Southern India. His most notable contribution is the multi-volume series "Castes and Tribes of Southern India," which provides a comprehensive examination of the diverse communities in the region, detailing their customs, traditions, and social hierarchies. In addition to this seminal work, he also authored "Omens and Superstitions of Southern India," which explores the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding omens in the local context. Thurston's research has been influential in the fields of anthropology and sociology, offering valuable insights into the complexities of Indian society.

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